Stom  i^t  feifirari?  of 

in  (gtemot)?  of 
3ubge  ^amuef  OXiffer  QSrecfeinrib^i 

^dtnuef  Otiffer  QSrecfttntibge  feong 

to  f  ^  £i6rati?  of 

(Princeton  C^eofogicaf  ^etninarj 


ScS 


24  INTRODUCTORY  ADDRESS. 

have  so  long  and  so  needlessly  infested  them.  It  is  time 
that  men  of  nerve  and  hardihood,  with  bodies  fit  to  bear 
about  the  souls  of  missionaries  and  martyrs,  should  be 
poured  forth  from  all  the  institutions  of  our  country,  to 
help  in  the  conversion  of  a  ruined  world. 

Such,  then,  are  a  few  of  the  leading  temptations  to 
which  you  will  be  exposed  in  your  course  of  preparation 
for  the  Gospel  Ministry.  May  the  God  of  heaven  guard 
you  against  their  seducing  power,  and  give  you  a  con- 
tinued triumph  over  them ! 

We  had  intended  to  state  at  some  length,  in  the  second 
place.  The  incentives  and  supjjorts  proper  to  your  circum- 
stances and  pursuits.  But  space  is  wanting ;  and  we 
must  delay  the  presenting  of  these  considerations  for  a 
future  volume. 

In  closing  this  address  we  only  add,  that  the  freedom 
and  directness  of  the  above  remarks  are  justified  on  the 
grounds  that  they  are  true;  that  the  warnings  which 
they  convey,  are  highly  important ;  and  that  having  no 
secreta  monita  to  give,  we  deal  with  you  in  the  candor 
and  love  of  honest  and  deeply  attached  friends,  address- 
ing ingenuous  youth,  who  have  nothing  to  conceal,  but 
what  they  have  also  at  the  same  time  to  abandon.  There- 
fore, seeing  that  both  you  and  we  must  give  account  unto 
God,  we  use  great  plainness  of  speech. 

Most  truly,  your  Brother  and  Friend, 

JOHN  BRECKINRIDGE,  Corr.  Sec. 

Philadelphia,  Office  of  Board  of  Education, 
November  1st,  1832. 


d) 


SCRIPTURE  DOCTRINE 


OF    A 


CALL  TO  THE  WORK 


THE   GOSPEL    MINISTRY 


PREFACE. 

Some  ysars  ago,  the  writer  was  entrusted,  by  the 
Presbytery  of  which  he  was  then  a  member,  with  the 
special  care  of  that  branch  of  their  operations  which  re- 
lates to  the  education  of  pious,  but  indigent  young  men 
for  the  Ministry.  In  fulfilling  this  appointment,  fre- 
tjuent  demands  were  made  for  information  on  the  subject 
of  a  call  to  that  work.  No  satisfactory  essay  on  the 
subject  was  known.  Things  being  thus,  private  appli- 
cation was  made  to  several  fathers  in  the  Church  to 
write  such  an  essay  for  publication,  but  without  success. 
Being  thus  left,  and  by  office  being  called  to  give  infor- 
mation, the  writer  at  length  reduced  his  thoughts  to 
something  like  system ;  and  early  in  April,  1831, 
preached  the  following  Sermon  before  the  students  of 
the  Union  Theological  Seminary,  (Va.)  Soon  after,  an 
article  appeared  in  the  Biblical  Repertory  on  the  same 
subject.  The  author  has  also  within  a  few  days  learned, 
that  the  excellent  Thomas  Boston  published  a  sermon  on 
this  subject,  and  founded  on  the  portion  of  Scripture 
which  stands  at  the  head  of  this  Discourse.  Although 
he  has  never  seen  Mr.  Boston's  discourse,  it  is  believed 


22  PREFACE. 

that  he,  like  the  valuable  writer  in  the  Repertory,  treats 
the  subject  in  a  manner  applicable  to  those  who  are  in 
the  Ministry,  or  about  to  enter  it,  rather  than  to  those 
who  think  of  taking  measures  that  may  finally  lead  to 
that  sacred  office.  Respecting  the  sameness  of  texts,  the 
language  of  another  on  a  similar  occasion  is  appropriate. 
*'  The  coincidence  was  entirely  accidental ;  and  the  text 
in  each  instance  being  employed  very  much  in  the  man- 
ner of  a  motto,  it  is  hoped  the  train  of  thought  will  be 
found  sufficiently  distinct."  So  much  for  the  history  of 
this  Sermon.  The  serious  attention  of  the  reader  is  in- 
vited to  a  few  remarks  concerning 

THE    SPIRIT    WITH    WHICH    THIS    SUBJECT  OUGHT   TO   BE 
STUDIED. 

That  any  subject,  involving  moral  truth,  religious 
duty,  and  solemn  responsibility,  studied  in  an  improper 
spirit,  may  be,  and  most  probably  will  be  determined 
sinfully,  is  in  full  accordance  with  scriptural  principle 
and  careful  observation.  Besides,  a  wrong  spirit  is  itself 
highly  criminal,  even  though  it  govern  not  final  deci- 
sions. If,  then,  we  would  innocently  inquire  into  this 
matter,  we  must  approach  it  seriously,  solemnly,  reveren- 
tially.  Thus  we  ought  to  approach  all  subjects  of  a  kin- 
dred character — much  more,  then,  this.    He  who  jests, 


PREFACE.  -  23 

he  who  trifles,  he  who  feels  no  solemn  awe,  when  consi- 
dering  this  matter,  may  well  doubt  not  only  his  fitness 
for  the  Ministry,  but  the  reality  of  his  piety.  When 
God  was  about  to  call  Moses,  and  make  him  a  great 
prophet,  He  first  appeared  to  him  in  the  burning  bush. 
And  when  Moses  "  turned  aside  to  see,"  God  said, 
"  Draw  not  nigh  hither,"  [remain  at  a  reverential  dis- 
tance] :  "  put  off  thy  shoes  fi-om  off  thy  feet,  for  the  place 
whereon  thou  standest  is  holy  ground."  "  And  Moses 
hid  his  face,"  So  let  all  do,  who  think  of  becoming 
"  Ambassadors  for  Christ,"  "  Messengers  of  the  LORD 
af  Hosts."  Too  much  solemnity  and  holy  reverence  can 
not  be  exercised  on  this  momentous  subject. 

Another  state  of  the  heart,  essential  to  the  proper  con- 
sideration of  this  matter,  is  patient  waiting  on  God,  pro- 
ducing caution  and  deliberation.  This  subject  is  often 
introduced  in  Scripture  in  reference  to  our  doubts  and 
difiiculties  and  darkness,  and  is  often  of  imlimited  ap- 
plication. If  any  think  otherwise,  an  examination  of 
those  passages  of  revealed  truth,  in  which  the  words 
wait  and  haste  with  their  variations  occur,  will  satisfy 
him.  Moreover,  common  observation  abundantly  proves, 
that  purposes  respecting  duty,  if  hastily  formed,  are 
either  foolish,  or  hastily  abandoned.  A  man  who  acts 
c2 


24  PREFACE. 

without  due  deliberation,  is  also  guilty  for  so  doing,  even 
though  his  decision  be  materially  right,  and  carried  into 
effect.  Humility,  producing  candor,  and  a  willingness 
to  estimate  "according  to  truth,"  one's  deficiencies  and 
qualifications,  is  also  indispensable.  In  this  inquiry, 
"  Pope  Self,"  is  one  of  the  important  items.  He  who 
is  entirely  ignorant  of  his  faults  and  deficiencies,  his  at- 
tainments and  abilities,  cannot  judge  intelligently  or 
satisfactorily.  He  who  has  real  piety  and  much  know- 
ledge of  himself,  must  have  genuine  and  deep  humility, 
when  he  contemplates  such  an  undertaking  as  that  of  a 
Herald  of  the  Cross.  Neither  will  a  disposition  to  deny 
one's  gifls  and  graces  be  any  less  dangerous  than  an 
extravagant  self-conceit.  Humility  "  thinks  soberly,  as 
it  ought  to  think,"  and  "judges  true  judgment." 

Finally.  All  that  is  included  in  the  idea  of  docility,  is 
necessary  to  a  right  investigation  and  decision.  Of 
course,  the  inquirer  must  possess  a  deep  sense  of  the 
folly  of  mere  human  wisdom ;  a  spirit  of  hearty  prayer 
to  God  for  the  teaching  of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  a  strong  de- 
sire to  know  the  truth,  and  an  entire  willingness  to  act 
upon  the  truth  when  known.  Most,  if  not  all,  of  the 
foregoing  specifications  of  spirit  are  beautifully  illustra- 
ted in  the  conduct  of  Samuel,  when  God  was  about  to 


PREFACE.  25 

employ  him  as  a  publisher  of  divine  truth,  (1  Samuel 
iii.  passim);  and  in  the  conduct  of  Saul  of  Tarsus,  when 
his  bloody  purposes  were  rebuked,  and  himself  about  to 
be  sent  to  preach  Christ  crucified.  So  soon  as  Saul  was 
arrested,  he,  "  trembling  and  astonished,"  [here  was  re- 
verence,] "  said,  Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do  ?" 
[here  were  prayer  for  direction,  solemn  inquiry,  and 
strong  desire  to  know  the  truth.]  His  prayer  was 
heard — his  inquiry  was  answered — his  patience  and  sub- 
mission were  tried.  He  was  told  to  "  go  into  the  city," 
and  there  learn  what  he  must  do.  He  went,  thus  mani- 
festing his  willingness  to  obey,  and,  in  obeying,  to 
learn.  Soon  he  did  learn,  and  "  preach  Christ  in  the  syna- 
gogues, that  he  is  the  Son  of  God."  Acts  ix.  1 — 20. 

Dear  youthful  Reader  !  if  you  have  not  the  spirit  just 
described,  read  no  further,  until  you  look  to  God  through 
Christ  for  the  influences  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  to  make  you 
solemn,  reverential,  humble,  candid,  deliberate,  docile, 
wise,  and  holy,  in  your  aims  and  purposes. 

WM.  S.  PLUMER. 

Petersburg,  Va.  Feb.  14M,  1832. 


SCRIPTURE  DOCTRINE 

OF  A 
CALL  TO  THE  WORK  OF  THE  GOSPEL  MINISTRY. 


And  Jesus,  walking^  by  the  sea  of  Galilee,  saw  two  brethren, 
Simon  called  Peter,  and  Andrew  his  brother,  casting  a  net  into 
the  sea :  for  they  were  fishers.  And  he  said  unto  them,  follow 
me,  and  I  will  make  you  fishers  of  men.  And  straightway  they 
left  their  nets  and  followed  him.  And  going  on  from  thence,  he 
saw  other  two  brethren,  James  the  son  of  Zebedee,  and  John  his 
brother,  in  a  ship  with  their  father,  mending  their  nets  ;  and  he 
called  them.  And  they  immediately  left  the  ship  and  their  father, 
and  followed  him.    Matt.  iv.  18—22. 

In  the  verses  just  read,  several  things  are  worthy 
of  notice ;  but  the  leading  idea,  viz. :  The  calling  of 
Peter,  Andrew,  James,  and  John  to  the  discipleship,  as 
^.  preparation  for  the  Ministry,  will  engage  our  attention 
at  present.  Let  us  view  this  subject,  so  that  we  may 
take  occasion  from  it  to  speak  of  the  nature  of  a  call  in 
general,  marking  the  difference  between  such  a  call  as 
may  be  expected  now,  and  such  as  we  know  to  have 
been  given  in  the  days  of  the  Apostles.  It  may  not  be 
amiss  to  make  a  few  general  statements,  before  we  enter 
into  particulars. 

The  first  is,  that  the  subject,  although  plain  in  theory, 
is  yet  of  exceedingly  difficult  application.  Modest,  hum- 


28  CALL    TO   THE    WORK 

ble,  pious  men  are  very  apt  to  be  detered  from  all 
thoughts  of  entering  the  Ministry,  by  many  considera- 
tions which  naturally  present  themselves;  while  others  of 
doubtful  piety,  having  in  their  compositions  aspice  of  self- 
conceit,  and  a  dash  of  forwardness,  frequently  derive  en- 
couragement from  such  things  as  have  in  truth  no  appli- 
cation to  their  cases.  Most  men  must  have  witnessed 
such  occurrences.  Notwithstanding  this  difficulty,  it 
is  our  duty  to  state  scriptural  principles  with  all  possible 
plainness,  and  endeavour  in  practice  to  guard  carefully 
against  the  abuse  of  them.  Some  have  taught  and  prac- 
tised contrary  to  the  opinion  just  expressed ;  but  with- 
out sufficient  reason.  All  duties  ouglit  to  be  explained 
and  enforced,  and  all  privileges  fully  and  wisely  decla- 
red. The  inquiry,  "  Who  ought  to  study  the  question — 
Am  I  CALLED  ?" — admits  of  several  answers.  The  Jirst 
is.  That  no  person  who  is  vnthout  piety  need  give  the 
matter  his  attention.  The  first  thing  for  him  to  do,  is,  to 
"  think  on  his  ways  and  turn  his  feet  to  God's  testimo- 
nies;" "to  repent  and  believe  the  Gospel."  Again. — No 
female  is  bound  to  study  this  subject  for  personal  decision 
and  action.  "  I  suffi3r  not  a  woman  to  teach."  1  Tim.  ii. 
12.  Lastly,  It  may  be  a  safe  rule  for  every  male  member 
of  the  Church  to  inquire,  "Am  I  called?"  In  a  great 
majority  of  cases,  even  an  hour's  reflection  may  show 
clearly  that  a  negative  answer  should  be  given.  But 
that  men  in  Christ,  who  are  not  far  advanced  in  life,  and 
possess  sound  minds,  may  not  dismiss  the  subject  with- 
out a  moment's  serious  thought,  is  exceedingly  evident. 

But  let  us  proceed  to  consider  the  nature  of  a  call. 

A  call,  then,  is  either  extraordinary  or  ordinary.     An 


OF    THE    GOSPEL    MINISTRY.  29 

extraordinary  call  to  the  Ministry  is  one  given  under 
such  circumstances  as,  in  a  marvellous  and  clear  man- 
ner, show  the  will  of  God.  Thus  the  call  of  these  four 
fishermen  was  extraordinary,  not  merely  because  it  was 
given  by  Christ,  the  Head  of  the  Church,  (for  all  genu- 
ine calls  proceed  from  him),  but  because  it  was  given  by 
him  in  person,  and  in  terms  so  unequivocal  and  so  plain 
as  to  remove  all  ground  of  doubt.  So  also  the  calling  of 
Barnabas  and  Saul  would  seem  to  have  been  extraordi- 
nary. "  As  they  ministered  to  the  Lord  and  fasted,  the 
Holy  Ghost  said,  separate  me  Barnabas  and  Saul  for  the 
work  whereunto  I  have  called  them."  Acts  xiii.  2.  An 
extraordinary  call,  in  its  very  nature,  is  confined  to  the 
days  of  miracles. 

An  ordinary  call  differs  from  an  extraordinary  in 
this,  that  in  ascertaining  its  reality  and  genuineness, 
we  pursue  the  usual  course  by  which  duty  becomes 
known,  without  any  supernatural  or  marvellous  indi- 
cations of  the  will  of  God.  Such  are  all  calls  given 
since  the  days  of  miracles.  An  ordinary  call  may  be  as 
clear  as  an  extraordinary;  yet  it  must  require  more  pa- 
tience and  longer  time  to  ascertain  it.  Perhaps  Flavel, 
and  Baxter,  and  Bunyan,  and  Owen,  and  Edwards,  and 
Brainerd,  had,  in  the  latter  part  of  their  lives,  no  more  right 
to  doubt  their  call,  than  Paul  or  Barnabas  had.  An  ordi- 
nary  call  is  distinguishable  into  a  general  and  a  special 
call. 

A  general  call  is  addressed  to  the  pious  generally, 
and  arises  from  the  necessities  of  the  world,  and  fi:om 
the  great  principles  of  the  Bible,  which  command  all 
Christians  to  "  hold  forth  the  word  of  life;"  to  "  say. 


30  CALL    TO   THE    WORK 

Come."  This  general  call  is  a  very  loud  one.  Macedonia, 
by  her  necessities,  cries  for  help  as  loudly  as  she  ever  did. 
Hundreds  of  millions  of  this  world's  mortal,  yet  immor- 
tal inhabitants  are  sinking-  to  endless  night  "  for  lack  of 
vision."  Gospel  precepts  are  addressed  to  all  the  friends 
of  Christ  in  such  manner  as  requires  each  one,  con- 
strained by  amazing  love,  to  stand  at  his  post,  and  do  to 
the  extent  of  his  ability.  Tliis  general  call,  however, 
determines  nothing  as  to  the  particular  method,  by  the 
adoption  of  which,  each  one  shall  serve.  It  barely  says 
to  all,  "  Be  strong."  "  Quit  you  like  men."  "  Let  your 
light  shine,"  "  Glorify  him  in  your  bodies  and  spirits, 
which  are  his,"  &c.  &lc. 

A  special  call  to  the  work  of  the  Ministry  is  such  a 
concurrence  of  qualities  and  events  on  an  individual,  as, 
if  explained  by  the  principles  of  the  Bible  and  of  common 
sense,  will  make  it  manifest  that  the  will  of  God  is  that 
he,  on  whom  the  concurrence  is,  should  enter  the  Minis- 
try. This  is  the  call  which  every  man  must  have,  if  he 
would  enter  the  Ministry  in  an  acceptable  manner.  In 
determining  whether  we  be  thus  specially  called,  we  are 
to  give  good  heed  to  the  word  and  providences  of  God 
as  they  separately  shed  light  on  each  other,  and  unitedly, 
on  this  subject ;  and  we  are  not  to  give  any  heed  to 
strange  fancies,  and  unaccountable  impulses,  and  sup- 
posed visions. 

The  first  evidence  of  a  call  which  we  shall  notice,  is  a 
desire  for  the  icork.  That  this  desire  is  necessary,  is 
very  evident  from  Scripture :  "  This  is  a  true  saying.  If 
a  man  desire  the  office  of  a  bishop,  he  desireth  a  good 
work."  1  Tim.  iii.  1.    Common  sense  also  revolts  at  the 


OF    THE    GOSPEL   MINISTRY.  31 

thought  of  a  man  engaging  in  a  work,  in  which  his 
heart  is  not ;  especially  where,  as  in  the  Ministry,  far 
more  harm  than  good  will  be  done  to  all  concerned,  if 
the  heart  be  wanting.  This  desire  must  not  be  a  tran- 
sient emotion,  but  must  possess  essential  permanency. 
Neither  must  it  be  a  faint  desire,  easily  overcome  by 
counter-operations.  These  two  ideas  of  permanency 
and  strength,  are  certainly  included  in  that  word  "de- 
sire,"  which  first  occurs  in  the  passage  just  quoted.  For 
in  the  original  there  are  different  words  corresponding 
to  the  English  word  "  desire."  The  first  of  these, 
opsyf  T'at,  is  a  word  of  much  more  strength  than  the  last, 
irtiOvijiso.  Doddridge  translates  the  former  "  earnestly 
desire,"  the  latter  simply  "  desire."  This  desire  must 
possess  at  least  such  permanence  and  vehemence  as  to 
enable  one,  with  the  help  of  God  continually  sought,  to 
surmount  obstacles  as  they  present  themselves ;  to  sub- 
mit to  all  the  delays  and  labours  necessary  to  prepare  for 
the  work ;  and  to  make  him  willing  to  take  the  office 
and  work  of  a  minister,  and  that  only,  and  for  life.  This 
desire,  too,  must  be,  not  for  the  learned  leisure,  the  fame, 
the  influence,  the  ease,  or  the  emoluments  of  the  office, 
but  for  the  office  itself,  taken  in  connexion  with  the  joys 
and  sorrows,  the  pains  and  pleasures,  the  labours  and 
comforts,  the  responsibilities  and  rewards,  which  God 
has  inseparably  connected  with  a  conscientious  and 
faithful  discharge  of  its  duties.  He  that  has  such  a  de- 
sire, has  one  quality  significant  of  a  call.  The  more 
vehement  and  continuous  this  desire  is,  the  more  weight 
ought  it  to  have  in  our  determinations. 
D 


32 


CALL    TO    THE    WORK 


Another  thing  of  impoiiance  in  a  call,  is  a  deep  and 
abiding  sense  of  personal  weakness  and  unworthiness. 
In  view  of  the  amazing  magnitude  and  tremendous  res- 
ponsibilities,  and  eternal  effects  of  the  work,  Paul  said: 
"  Who  is  sufficient  for  these  things  ?"  2  Cor.  ii.  16.  If  an 
inspired  apostle,  who  had  been  rapt  in  visions  of  the 
third  heavens,  had  such  views,  is  it  any  wonder  that  all 
who  have  right  conceptions  of  the  matter,  should  "ex- 
ceedinglj'-  fear  and  quake,"  when  they  meditate  an  en- 
trance on  this  stupendous  undertaking !  Neither  again 
need  we  be  surprised,  if  many  who  are  called,  should,  at 
least  for  a  time,  shrink  from  any  course  that  would  be 
construed  as  a  pledge  or  preparation  for  induction  into 
the  Ministry.  Such  feel  their  weakness,  lament  their 
unworthiness,  know  their  insufficiency,  and  draw  back 
with  fearfulness.  Here  is  one  of  those  dangerous  places 
where  it  is  possible  for  one  to  be  led  astray,  and  sin 
against  God.  This  is  the  point  on  which  Jeremiah  did 
well  nigh  err.  When  God  told  him  that  He  had  "  or- 
dained him  a  prophet,"  he  said,  "  Ah,  Lord  God !  I  can- 
not speak,  for  I  am  a  child."  Jer.  i.  5,  6.  Humility  is 
commendable,  and,  if  genuine,  cannot  be  excessive.  Let 
one,  therefore,  look  at  the  promises,  and  ask  help  from 
on  high,  and  then  judge  whether  he  be  not  warranted 
in  expecting  "  out  of  weakness  to  be  made  strong." 

This  leads  to  the  remark,  that  one  part  of  this  call  is 
some  comfortable  degree  of  confidence,  that,  notwithstand- 
ing our  great  unworthiness  and  insvfficiency,  God  will 
sustain  us.  Thus  God  assured  Jeremiah  that  he  should 
be  supported  :  "  Say  not,  I  am  a  child ;  for  thou  shalt  go 


OF   THE     GOSPEL    MINISTRY.  33 

to  all  that  I  shall  send  thee,  and  whatsoever  I  command 
thee  shalt  thou  speak.  Be  not  afraid  of  their  faces,  for  I 
am  with  thee  to  deliver  thee,  saith  the  Lord."  Jer.  i.  7,  8. 
Here  was  ground  of  confidence.  On  it  Jeremiah  relied. 
Can  you,  in  view  of  all  that  is  discouraging-  in  yourself, 
and  in  view  of  all  that  is  encouraging  from  God,  still  say. 
Though  I  am  a  worm  of  the  dust,  and  less  than  the  least 
of  all  God's  mercies,  and  the  most  unworthy  of  all  whom 
I  know,  yet  God  can,  and  I  hope  and  believe  He  will 
bear  me  up,  and  bear  me  through  ?  To  this  state  of  holy 
confidence  the  apostle  refers  in  these  words  :  "  And  such 
trust  have  we  through  Christ  to  God-ward  :  not  that  we 
are  sufficient  of  ourselves  to  think  any  thing  as  of  our- 
selves, but  our  sufficiency  is  of  God,  who  also  hath  made 
us  able  ministers  of  the  New  Testament."  2  Cor.  iii.  4 — 6. 
Judging  from  what  you  can  learn  of  the  will  of  God, 
honestly,  humbly,  and  earnestly  inquired  into,  can  you 
"  trust"  that  God  will  "  make  you  an  able  minister  of  the 
New  Testament  ?"  If  you  can,  "  hold  fast  your  confi- 
dence, which  hath  great  recompense  of  reward."  If  you 
have  never  sought  the  will  of  God  in  the  right  manner, 
an  expectation  of  support  can  be  but  presumption  ;  and 
the  absence  of  it  may  only  prove  your  guilt. 

Another  idea  which  it  may  be  important  distinctly  to 
present,  is,  that  we  put  a  high  estimate  on  the  office  itself., 
and  on  its  appropriate  pleasures,  and  consolations,  and 
work.  This  subject  has  already  been  alluded  to,  but  it 
deserves  greater  prominence  in  this  discussion  than  it 
now  possesses.  He  is  not  fit  to  be  in  the  Ministry,  who 
cannot  find  in  the  discharge  of  its  peculiar  duties  a  satis- 


34  CALL   TO   THE   WORK 

faction  which  he  could  not  find  in  any  other  employ- 
ment. Were  you  qualified,  could  it,  would  it  be  your 
meat  and  drink  to  do  the  work  assigned  you  as  a  minis- 
ter of  the  word  of  God  ?  Paul  says,  "  I  magnify  mine 
office ;"  as  if  he  had  said,  "  I  commend  and  extol  it.  As 
it  occupies  a  large  space  in  my  own  eye,  so  I  desire  it 
may  in  the  eyes  of  others."  Does  it  present  itself  to  your 
mind  as  "a  good  work,"  an  excellent  employment,  in 
which  you  would,  were  it  proper,  engage  rather  than  in 
any  other  service  ? 

To  what  has  been  said  must  be  added,  the  loishes  of 
judicious,  impartial  pious,  people,  (in  that  part  of  the 
Church  in  which  our  lot  is  cast,)  and  the  consent  of  the 
proper  authorities.  This  rule  is  to  be  observed  in  all  or- 
dinary cases,  as  is  evident  from  the  example  of  the  apos- 
tles and  early  Christians,  in  reference  to  deacons.  "  And 
in  those  days,  when  the  number  of  the  disciples  was  mul- 
tiplied, there  arose  a  murmuring  of  the  Grecians  against 
the  Hebrews,  because  their  widows  were  neglected  in 
the  daily  ministration.  Then  the  twelve  called  the  mul- 
titude of  the  disciples  unto  them  and  said.  It  is  not  rea- 
son that  we  should  leave  the  word  of  God  and  serve  ta- 
bles; wherefore,  brethren,  look  ye  out  among  you  seven 
men  of  honest  report,  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  wis- 
dom, whom  ye  may  appoint  over  this  business,  but  we 
will  give  ourselves  continually  to  prayer,  and  to  the  min- 
istry of  the  word.  And  the  saying  pleased  the  whole  mul- 
titude; and  tliey  chose  Stephen,  a  man  full  of  faith  and  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  and  Philip,  and  Prochorus,  and  Nica- 
nor,  and  Simon,  and  Parmenas,  and  Nicolas,  a  proselyte 


OF    THE     GOSPEL    MINISTRY.  35 

of  Antioch,  whom  they  set  before  the  apostles:  and  when 
they  had  prayed,  they  laid  their  hands  on  them."  Acts  vi. 
1 — 6.  From  this  portion  of  Scripture  it  is  exceedingly 
evident,  that  the  concurrence  of  the  people's  election,  and 
of  the  ordaining  authority's  approbation,  is  necessary  to 
the  validity  of  the  commission  of  even  a  deacon,  whose 
office  extends  only  to  the  temporalties  of  the  Church. 
Much  more,  then,  have  the  people  a  right  to  choose  the 
man  who  is  to  be  their  counsellor,  and  teacher,  and 
guide.  Neither  can  any  sufficient  reason  be  given,  why 
the  ordaining  authority  should  not  also  exercise  a  con- 
trol over  the  matter,  at  least  so  far  as  to  decline  ordain- 
ing persons  supposed  to  be  unworthy  or  unfit.  Indeed 
Paul  warns  Timothy  to  "lay  hands  suddenly  on  no  man;" 
from  which  warning,  it  is  manifest  that  Timothy  was 
bound  to  exercise  his  best  judgment,  and  act  accordingly. 
The  foregoing  remarks  are  made  in  reference  to  or- 
dinary times.  Cases  have  occurred,  and  may  again 
occur,  in  which  one  may  not  wait  for  a  formal  expres- 
sion  of  the  sentiments  of  either  the  Church  or  the  Min- 
isters of  Christ ;  but  when  a  pious  and  humble  man 
contemplates  such  a  step,  he  feels  the  responsibility  to 
be  truly  tremendous,  if  not  terrific.  It  is  true,  that  the 
Church  and  Ministers  sometimes  seem  slow  in  calling 
and  sending  one  into  the  sacred  office.  But  in  this  age 
and  country,  there  cannot  be  thought  to  exist  much  error 
of  this  kind.  The  great  error  seems  to  be  of  a  directly 
opposite  nature.  Besides,  were  the  delay  ever  so  great, 
it  may  be  that  God  has  important  ends  in  view ;  especi- 
ally this,  that  one  may  have  time  to  become  better  qua- 
d2 


36  CALL  TO  THE  WORK 

lified  for  the  work.  Such  delay  is  sometimes  seen  to 
have  been  most  benevolently  and  mercifully  ordered  by 
God.  For  instance,  John  Newton  would  have  been  ut- 
terly overwhelmed  by  the  burden  and  number  of  his 
ministerial  duties,  had  it  not  been  for  a  wholesome,  but 
at  the  time  unwelcome,  and,  in  its  instrument,  perhaps 
unkind  delay  of  many  months.  Whenever  judicious, 
pious,  impartial  people,  with  such  concord  as  might 
fairly  be  expected,  present  the  subject  to  one's  mind,  or 
when,  their  judgments  being  invited,  they  recommend 
farther  serious  consideration,  their  voice  ought  to  be 
heard,  so  far  at  least  as  to  secure  mature  and  religious 
inquiry  into  the  will  of  God.  Especially  does  this  prin- 
ciple obtain,  when  those  possessing  the  power  of  ordina- 
tion give  their  consent,  or  cordial  approval.  In  refer- 
ence to  those  who  only  wish  to  know,  whether  they  ought 
to  pursue  a  course  of  study  and  discipline  preparatory  to 
the  work  of  the  Ministry,  let  it  be  said,  that  even  they 
may  arrive  at  some  degree  of  probability,  as  to  what  the 
views  and  wishes  of  the  electing  and  ordaining  powers 
will  be,  when  the  proper  time  shall  have  come. 

Besides  these  expressions  of  the  wishes  and  consent 
of  men  (over  which  God,  in  his  providence,  exercises 
sovereign  control,)  there  are  various  events,  which  show 
more  or  less  distinctly,  the  will  of  the  Head  of  the 
Church.  These  leadings  of  providence  are  as  various 
and  as  remarkable,  as  the  striking  diversity  of  occasions 
requires.  In  general,  however,  they  relate  to  the  things 
following,  viz. 

The  disentangling  of  one  from  such  engagements  or 


OF  THE  GOSPEL  MINISTRY.  37 

pursuits,  as  would  interfere  with  the  duties  of  a  minis- 
ter, or  with  due  preparation  for  the  holy  office : 

The  furnishing  of  the  means  of  acquiring  the  neces- 
sary knowledge,  and  discipline,  by  raising  up  liberal, 
and  perhaps  unexpected  friends;  by  giving  success  in 
lawful  business;  or  by  disposing  some  one  to  instruct  us 
in  the  rudiments  of  a  suitable  education: 

Or  if  we  already  possess  the  means,  perhaps  God's 
will  is  indicated  by  defeating  our  worldly  plans;  by 
sending  afflictions  upon  us;  or  by  making  us  ac- 
quainted with  the  history,  written  or  oral,  of  some  one 
who  has  felt  and  acted  very  much  like  ourselves.  In 
many  ways,  may  God  indicate  his  will  by  his  providence. 
Now,  acts  of  providence  rightly  interpreted,  are  of  vast 
importance  in  directing  the  humble  in  all  the  affairs  of 
life;  and  why  should  not  their  guidance  be  especially 
looked  for  in  this  great  matter? 

A  few  words  of  caution  and  warning  belong  to  this 
subject.  Because  you  cannot  see  your  way  clear  from 
your  present  station  to  that  of  a  minister,  you  may  not 
infer  that  it  is  not  clear,  or  will  not  be  clear,  as  you  pro- 
ceed. It  is  not  given  to  every  man  to  see  clearly  far 
before  him,  though  many  think  they  do.  "  The  pillar  of 
cloud  and  of  fire,"  a  striking  emblem  of  God's  provi- 
dence, gave  not,  on  one  day,  any  pledge  as  to  the  course  to 
be  pursued  the  next  day.  The  question  to  be  decided  is 
this,  "Can  I  lawfully  take  a  step  towards  the  holy  Minis- 
try?" If  you  can,  and  if  it  be  God's  will,  that  you  should 
succeed,  the  way  will,  in  due  time,  be  opened  for  you  to 
proceed  further  and  further,  until  you  shall  find  yourself 


38  CALL  TO  THE  WORK 

in  that  office,  at  which  you  had  been  grasping  with  pious 
eagerness  for  so  long  a  time. 

Again,  judge  nothing  before  the  time.  The  acts  of 
Divine  Providence,  until  finished,  are  holy  enigmas;  and 
some  of  them  remain  such  through  our  whole  lives.  If, 
therefore,  God  seem  for  a  while  to  frown  on  your  pur- 
poses, be  not  hasty  in  inferring  that  he  is  about  to  defeat 
your  plans;  but  wait,  and  learn  the  end  of  the  matter. 
And  if  he  shall  so  hedge  up  your  way,  as  that  for  a  time 
you  cannot  proceed,  wait  and  learn  whether  he  will  not 
open  it  again.  When  the  hosts  of  Israel  had  the  Red 
Sea  before  them  and  the  Egyptians  behind  them,  the  un- 
believing wished  that  they  had  remained  in  bondage, 
saying,  they  had  only  come  out  to  "  die  in  the  wilder- 
ness." You  must  learn  to  "  stand  still,"  if  you  would 
"see  the  salvation  of  God."  The  obstructions  of  your 
way  may  only  be  intended  as  trials  of  your  faith  and 
patience. 

To  the  foregoing  evidences  of  a  call  must  be  added  the 
necessary  qualifications,  or  the  capacity,  means,  and  de- 
sires of  acquiring  them.  That  no  man  is  called  of  God 
to  perform  a  work  for  which  he  is  not  qualified,  or  can- 
not be  qualified,  before  the  time  of  performance  arrives, 
is  so  plain  a  truth  as  to  render  proof  almost  unnecessary. 
Even  fanatics  admit  the  principle,  but  elude  its  force,  by 
pleading  their  extraordinary,  and  supernatural  endow- 
ments. God  would  not  allow  a  man  even  to  "make  the 
tabernacle,  the  ark  of  the  testimony,  the  mercy-seat,  and 
the  furniture  of  the  tabernacle,"  until  He  had  "called 
him,  and  filled  him  with  the  Spirit  of  God,  in  wisdom, 


OF  THE  GOSPEL  MINISTRY.  39 

and  in  understanding,  and  in  knowledge,  and  in  all  man- 
ner of  workmanship."  Ex.  xxxi.  2 — 7.  Certainly  then 
God  calls  no  man  to  labour  in  the  very  delicate,  yet 
grand  concerns  of  salvation,  until,  in  some  good  degree, 
"the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  shall  rest  upon  him,  the  spirit  of 
wisdom  and  understanding,  the  spirit  of  counsel  and 
might,  the  spirit  of  knowledge  and  of  the  fear  of  the 
LORD;  and  shall  make  him  of  quick  understanding  in 
the  fear  of  the  LORD."  Isa.  xi.  2,  3.  It  is  true  that  these 
words  have  their  fulfilment  in  Christ,  but  the  spirit  of 
them  is  applicable,  in  an  important  sense,  to  Christ's 
ministers.  In  other  words,  God  requires  no  man  to 
"divide  his  word,"  until  he  can  do  it  "rightly;"  al- 
though He  may  call  him,  to  prepare  to  do  it.  This  was 
the  call  of  the  four  fishermen,  mentioned  in  the  text: 
"Follow  me,  and  I  will  make  you  fishers  of  men,"  said 
Jesus  to  two  of  them.  The  history  of  the  other  two 
shows  their  call  to  have  been  similar.  Accordingly, 
they  did  not  commence  preaching  immediately,  but  first 
learned  from  him,  "who  spake  as  never  man  spake." 

As  to  what  the  qualifications  for  the  Ministry  are,  let 
it  be  remembered  that  among  them,  an  experimental  ac- 
quaintance with  the  truths  to  be  taught,  justly  holds  great 
prominence.  This  subject  of  piety  has  already  been  spo- 
ken of  as  a  condecency  to  the  consideration  of  this  sub- 
ject. It  is  here  introduced  as  a  requisite  to  the  verity  of 
a  call.  This  piety  must  be  real,  not  feigned.  "Wo  unto 
you  hypocrites,"  did  Jesus  often  say.  It  must  be  prac- 
tical and  consistent.  "Thou,  which  teachest  another, 
teachest  thou  not  thyself?  thou  tliat  preachest  a  man 


40  CALL  TO  THE  WORK 

should  not  steal,  dost  thou  steal?  thou  that  sayest  a  man 
should  not  commit  adultery,  dost  thou  commit  adultery? 
thou  that  abhorrest  idols,  dost  thou  commit  sacrilege?" 
Rom.  ii.  21,  22.  The  piety  required  must  also  be  some- 
what matured.  A  minister  must  be  "not  a  novice  (a 
young  convert)  lest,  being  lifted  up  with  pride,  he  fall 
into  the  condemnation  of  the  devil."  1  Tim.  iii.  6.  This 
piety  must  also  be  unimpeached  by  the  world.  "More- 
over, he  must  have  a  good  report  of  them  which  are  with- 
out;  lest  he  fall  into  reproach  and  the  snare  of  the  devil." 
1  Tim.  iiL  7.  Piety  is  indispensable  to  the  saving  of  the 
soul  of  the  preacher.  Ministers  must  have  that  "  holi- 
ness without  which  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord,"  or  ter- 
ribly perish.  It  is  essential  to  the  honour  of  Christ  and 
his  ordinances.  If  the  "sons  of  Eli  be  sons  of  Belial," 
men  will  "abhor  the  offering  of  the  Lord."  It  must  be 
at  the  foundation  of  any  long  continued  and  cheap  use- 
fulness in  the  Church.  The  phrase  "cheap  usefulness," 
is  not  employed  without  design.  For  it  is  not  impossi- 
ble for  a  man  without  piety,  and  under  the  influence  of 
ambition,  or  false  zeal,  to  be  useful  to  some  extent;  but 
it  will  be  at  a  tremendous  expense.  In  compassing  some 
good,  he  will  create  a  world  of  mischief.  At  least  his 
good,  which  perhaps  first  appears,  will  be  followed  by  a 
train  of  evils,  that  may  not  cease  their  operation  on  earth 
in  a  century.  Indeed,  men  of  some  real  piety  may  do 
this  in  many  ways;  and  how  much  more,  men  with- 
out it ! 

Hence  the  inestimable  value  of  prudence  as  a  quali- 
Jication  for   the  Ministry.     Should  any  say  that  pru- 


OF  THE  GOSPEL  MINISTRY.  41 

dence  is  included  under  the  last  head,  inasmuch  as  it  is 
always,  if  genuine,  the  offspring  of  piety,  the  answer  is, 
grant  it,  and  still  the  great  importance  of  the  subject  re- 
quires special  notice.  Besides,  although  the  kind  of  pru- 
dence required  may  be  the  offspring  of  piety,  yet  it  is  no 
less  the  offspring  of  common  sense.  And,  therefore,  piety 
may  consist  with  such  constitutional  or  habitual  impru- 
dence, as  unfits  the  subject  of  it  for  any  important  sta- 
tion in  the  Church  of  God,  or  in  society.  It  would  be 
impracticable,  without  destroying  the  symmetry  of  this 
Discourse,  to  do  justice  to  the  matter  in  hand.  Refer- 
ence is  therefore  made  to  a  valuable  discussion  of  this 
quality  in  Smith's  work  on  the  sacred  office.  A  few 
things,  however,  may  not  be  forgotten  or  neglected. 

In  the  first  place,  then,  the  common  consent  of  serious 
men  is,  that,  as  in  a  female,  so  in  a  minister,  imprudence 
is  not  merely  a  foible,  a  sHght  obliquity,  but  it  is  a  posi- 
tive and  glaring  vice.  Again,  the  Scriptures  insist  much 
upon  it,  not  only  under  its  proper  name,  but  under  the 
names  of  wisdom  and  discretion.  "He  that  winneth 
souls  is  wise."  Prov.  ii.  30.  He,  who  would  win  many 
souls,  without  criminally  repelling  as  many,  must  be 
wise.  Only  "the  words  of  the  wise  are  as  goads,  and  as 
nails  fastened."  Eccles.  xii.  11.  Some,  perhaps,  may  say, 
"  Will  not  carnal  policy  and  human  cunning  be  suffi- 
cient?" "Where  is  the  wise?  where  is  the  scribe? 
where  is  the  disputer  of  this  world  ?  hath  not  God  made 
foolish  the  wisdom  of  this  world?"  1  Cor.  i.  20.  Jesus 
also  said,  "  Behold  I  send  you  forth  as  sheep  in  the 
midst  of  wolves ;  be  ye  therefore  wise  as  serpents,  and 


42  CALL  TO  THE  WORK 

harmless  as  doves."  Blait.  x.  16.  It  is  proper  to  add, 
that  if  one  doubt  his  call  because  of  a  defect  in  this  point, 
let  him  by  honest  and  fair  trial  learn  whether  his  im- 
prudence be  incurable.  If  it  can  be  cured  and  shall 
be  cured,  then  his  way  will  be  as  open  before  him  as  if 
he  had  not  been  indiscreet. 

The  subject  next  in  order,  is  knowledge.  This  know- 
ledge must  be  such  as  to  shield  one  from  the  just  charge 
of  gross  ignorance,  or  fatal  error,  or  ludicrous  mistake, 
and  must  respect  the  message  to  be  communicated.  Of 
course,  no  man  can  tell  others  what  he  does  not  know 
himself.  How,  or  when,  or  where  this  knowledge  is 
obtained,  is  not  material.  The  possession  of  it  is  the  im- 
portant point.  The  knowledge  required  must  be  accu- 
rate, else  it  rather  merits  the  name  of  conjecture.  Nei- 
ther does  it  consist  merely  in  ideas  and  notions.  These 
may  become  knowledge  by  frequent  and  deep  reflection. 
This  knowledge  must  also  be  scriptural.  "The  pro- 
phet that  hath  a  dream,  let  him  tell  a  dream;  and  he 
that  hath  my  word,  let  him  speak  my  word  faithfully. 
What  is  the  chaff  to  the  wheat?  saith  the  Lord."  Jer. 
xxiii.  28.  It  must  also  be  extensive.  "Every  scribe 
which  is  instructed  unto  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  is  like 
unto  a  man  that  is  an  householder,  which  bringeth  forth 
out  of  his  treasure  things  new  and  old."     Matt.  xiii.  52. 

To  this  must  be  added,  the  power  of  communicating 
Tcnowledge  in  such  a  way  as  is  suited  to  promote  the  great 
ohjects  of  preaching.  These  are,  the  conviction,  con- 
version, and  edification  of  souls.  The  truth,  that  it 
may  be  effective,  must  be  spoken  audibly,  boldly,  affec- 


OF  THE  GOSPEL  MINISTRY.  43 

tionately,  earnestly,  solemnly,  with  dignity  and  anima- 
tion. So  many  valuable  treatises  have  been  published 
on  this  subject,  as  to  make  many  remarks  unnecessary. 
One  remark  may  be  sufficient ;  it  is  this :  that  such  a 
manner  of  speaking  as  may  become  the  stage,  the  bar, 
the  hustings,  or  even  the  senate,  will  not  suit  the  pulpit. 
Solemnity  of  a  peculiar  kind  ought  ever  to  rest  on  the 
sacred  desk. 

These  four  essentials,  piety,  prudence,  knowledge,  and 
the  power  of  communicating  knowledge  in  an  appro- 
priate manner,  seem  to  include  all  that  is  requisite  in  the 
way  of  qualification.  In  speaking  of  them,  brevity  has 
been  studied,  because  more  than  a  brief  notice  would 
have  been  ill-timed.  Much,  however,  is  comprehended 
under  each  specification.  These  qualifications  must  be 
possessed  before  any  man's  credentials  to  the  sacred 
office  can  be  complete.  From  none  of  them  can  a  dis- 
pensation be  had.  To  ascertain  these,  is  the  object  of 
the  probation  pointed  out  in  Scripture.  One,  however, 
may  not  as  yet  have  the  necessary  knowledge,  or  the 
gift  of  utterance  in  a  sufficient  degree,  and  still  may 
lack  nothing  else.  Let  such  honestly,  humbly,  and 
diligently  endeavour  the  removal  of  such  unfitness;  and 
if  he  succeed,  his  call  will  be  clear. 

As  the  last  of  the  evidences  of  a  call,  may  be  noticed  a 
conviction  of  duty,  based  on  the  due  consideration  of  mat- 
ters already  discussed.  This  conviction  may  not,  need 
not  be  so  strong  as  that  a  man  will  be  able  to  employ  in 
their  entire  import  the  words  of  Paul,  when  he  says, 
"  necessity  is  laid  upon  me ;  yea,  wo  is  me,  if  I  preach 
E 


44  CALL  TO  THE  WORK 

not  the  Gospel."  1   Cor.  ix.  16.     Indeed,  no  man  can 
use  this  language,  as  Paul  used  it,  until  he  is  assured  of 
his  call.     Yet  his  conviction  of  duty  may  be  as  real, 
though  not  as  Jirm  as  that  of  Paul.     By  a  real  convic- 
tion of  duty  in  this  matter,  is  meant  something  like  this: 
that  when  a  man  does  humbly,  seriously,  and  candidly 
think  of  entering  the  Ministry,  his  mind  does  incline  to 
the  judgment,  that  in  so  doing,  he  would  please  God  ; 
and  that  in  declining  to  do  so,  guilt  would  be  contracted. 
This  conviction,  from  its  very  nature  and  basis,  grows  or 
diminishes,  according  to  the  aspect  of  things  as  control- 
led  by   providence.     Yet   it   must   have   permanency, 
though  it  may  not  be  exceeding  strong.     If  it  be  genu- 
ine, it  will  prove  itself  such  by  the  fact,  that  it  is  strength- 
ened by  the  desirableness,  and  weakened  by  the  unde- 
sirableness,  of  our  religious  state  and  sentiments.    It  was 
this  inward  conviction  tliat  made  the  four  men  named  in 
text,  obey  the  call  of  Jesus.     At  the  first,  the  strength  of 
the  conviction  may  be  no  greater  than  to  justify  one  in 
saying  :  "  So  far  as  I  now  know  my  duty,  I  ought  not 
to  lose  sight  of  the  Ministry,  as  a  work  upon  which  I 
may  enter  at  a  future  day."     Indeed,  this  is,  perhaps, 
as  far  as  most  can  go,  who  are  not  yet  prepared  for  or- 
dination.    A  man   may  be  in  the  ministry  for  many 
^•ears,  before  he  will  be  fully  convinced,  beyond  doubt, 
that  he  is  pleasing  God.    Yet  no  one  may  enter  this  holy 
office,  whose  convictions  not  only  do  not  oppose,  but  also 
incline  him  to  do  so.     Blessed  is  he,  who,  although  pos- 
sessed of  a  tender  and  enlightened  conscience,  doth  not 
condemn  himself  for  becoming  a  herald  of  salvation. 


OF  THE  GOSPEL  MINISTRY.  45 

Rom.  xiv.  22.  Let  us  now  seriously  consider  all  that 
has  been  said,  and  say  what  could  be  left  out  without 
creating-  a  flaw  in  the  call.  Might  we  omit  an  earnest 
desire  for  the  work  ?  What  would  one  do  in  an  office 
for  which  he  had  no  ardent  love  ?  He  would  presently 
become  a  farmer,  a  merchant,  a  school-master,  a  physi- 
cian, a  politician,  a  lawyer,  an  owner  of  mills,  a  world- 
ling. Could  we  dispense  with  a  deep  sense  of  personal 
unworthiness  and  insufficiency?  "He  that  teaches  hu- 
mility must  himself  be  humble."  As  to  "trust  in  God," 
what  is  a  minister  without  it?  He  is  a  reed  shaken 
with  the  wind ;  a  ship  without  an  anchor ;  a  world  with- 
out a  sun.  Dare  we  leave  out  a  high  estimate  of  the 
dignity  and  incalculable  importance  of  the  office  ?  "Wo 
unto  them  that  call  evil  good,  and  good  evil ;  that  put 
darkness  for  light,  and  light  for  darkness;  that  put  bit- 
ter for  sweet,  and  sweet  for  bitter."  Isa.  v.  20.  Let  all 
things,  especially  sacred  things,  be  rightly  esteemed. 
Shall  one  commence  preacher  contrary  to  the  wishes 
of  the  Church  ?  How  can  he  edify  a  people  who  will 
not  hear  him,  or,  if  they  do,  wish  him  to  be  silent?  Or 
shall  one  enter  on  the  work,  when  those,  who  are  at 
least  supposed  to  be  impartial  and  enlightened  judges, 
tell  him  that  they  dare  not  "lay  hands"  on  him,  lest 
they  should  become  "partakers  of  other  men's  sins?  " 
1  Tim.  iii.  22.  Or,  shall  a  man,  forgetful  or  heedless  of 
the  voice  of  Providence,  and  the  duties  thereby  created 
or  designated,  break  through  every  obstacle,  and  rush 
into  the  Ministry,  "as  the  horse  rusheth  into  the  battle?" 
"Faith,  judgment,  mercy,  and  piety  at  home,  "  may,  on 


46  CALL  TO  THE  WOEK 

no  account  be  omitted.  Can  piety  be  dispensed  with? 
"To  the  wicked  God  saith,  What  hast  thou  to  do  to  de- 
clare my  statutes,  or  that  thou  shouldest  take  my  cove- 
nant in  thy  mouth?  "  Ps.  1. 16.  We  dare  not  omit  pru- 
dence. As  "the  wicked  shall  do  wickedly,"  so  the  fool- 
ish will  act  foolishly,  the  imprudent,  rashly.  Nothing 
but  a  sound  mind  ever  produced  sound  speech,  that  could 
not  be  gainsayed,  or  sober  conduct  that  was  irrebuke- 
able.  Knowledge  is  indispensable.  "The  priest's  lips 
should  keep  knowledge."  Mai.  ii.  7.  And  knowledge, 
inappropriately  communicated,  will  be  useless  to  all,  and 
injurious  to  many. 

He,  who  runs  against  the  convictions  of  his  best  judg- 
ment, cannot  be  strong  in  the  day  of  trial;  and  must  in- 
cur great  guilt.  Rom.  xiv.  23.  Let  no  man,  then,  at- 
tempt actually  to  enter  the  Ministry  without  all  these 
evidences  of  a  call.  If  he  shall,  he  will  certainly  err. 
If  any  one  doubt  whether  he  possess  the  whole  of  them, 
and  in  such  a  degree  as  is  necessary  to  render  it  safe  for 
him  to  proceed,  let  him  wait,  humbly  and  patiently  ask- 
ing the  guidance  of  Jehovah. 

It  is  due  to  truth  also  to  state,  that  the  foregoing  dis- 
cussion is  thought  to  include  a  summary  of  all  that  the 
Bible  teaches  respecting  the  nature  and  evidences  of  a 
call  to  the  Ministry,  as  a  general  work.  A  call  of  God 
to  labour  in  a  particular  sphere,  as  on  a  foreign  mission, 
or  on  a  domestic  mission,  or  on  an  agency,  or  in  a  system 
of  evangelism,  or  in  the  modest,  perhaps  retired,  but  de- 
lightful and  holy  work  of  pastor,  or  in  the  disciplining 
and  instruction  of  candidates  for  the  ministry,  must  be 


OF  THE  GOSPEL  MINISTRY.  47 

determined  by  the  addition  of  several  distinct  principles. 
But,  so  far  as  the  subject  of  a  scriptural  call  to  the  gene- 
ral work  of  the  Ministry  is  concerned,  what  has  been 
said  is  believed  to  embrace  all  the  particulars  specified 
in  God's  word. 

From  what  has  been  said,  the  following  seem  to  be 
natural  and  legitimate  conclusions : 

First :  Two  men  may  both  be  called  of  God  to  enter  the 
Ministry  at  the  same  time;  and  while  one  may  be  well  sa- 
tisfied of  his  ov/n  call,  the  other  may  have  very  painful  ap- 
prehensions and  fears,  whether  he  ought  to  proceed.  So 
that  a  man  cannot  know  that  he  is  not  called,  because  he 
is  not  as  certain  about  the  course  of  his  duty  as  some  of 
his  brethren  are  respecting  the  propriety  of  their  course. 
Again,  the  clearness  or  doubtfulness  in  a  man's  mind 
about  his  own  call,  may  arise  either  from  the  high  or  the 
low  character  of  his  piety.  Nothing,  therefore,  positive- 
ly encouraging  or  discouraging  respecting  the  amount 
of  personal  piety,  can  be  learned  from  the  fact  that  our 
minds  are  doubtful,  or  that  they  are  decided.  How  im- 
portant, then,  frequently  and  impartially  to  inquire  into 
the  state  of  piety  in  the  soul! 

It  also  follows,  from  wha  thas  been  said,  that  a  call 
may  be  regarded  as  clear  ordoubtful  by  the  subject  of  it, 
while  other  persons  may  arrive  at  conclusions  very  di- 
verse. Through  the  operation  of  many  undesirable  in- 
fluences, a  man  may  think  himself  clearly  called  to  a 
work,  from  which  impartial,  and  even  charitable  men  will 
feel  bound  to  restrain  him.  On  the  other  hand,  one,  of 
whose  call  others  may  be  satisfied,  may,  by  the  undue  in- 
e2 


48  CALL  TO  THE  WORK 

fluence  of  some  principles,  in  themselves  good,  but  in  this 
case  misapplied,  not  think  himself  called  to  this  great 
work.  To  this  latter  class  scriptural  encouragement 
should  be  given.     God  has  set  us  the  example. 

Another  obvious  remark  is,  that  one,  who  is  called  to 
commence  preparation  for  the  Ministry,  ordinarily  has  a 
less  amount  of  evidence  in  favour  of  his  course  at  that 
time,  than  he  has  afterwards.  In  other  words,  he,  Avho 
is  but  acquiring  the  rudiments  of  a  suitable  education, 
has  less  of  certainty  than  the  approved  candidate  for  li- 
censure; the  licentiate  has  less  than  the  candidate  for 
ordination ;  the  young  minister  less  than  the  father  in  the 
Church.  But  then  the  first  steps  are  always  if  not  less  im- 
portant, less  decisive,  accompanied  with  lighter  respon- 
sibilities, and,  if  unsuccessful,  followed  with  less  dis- 
astrous consequences  than  tlie  subsequent  steps.  A 
moderate  degree  of  probability  may  be  the  liighest  re- 
sult of  all  the  evidence  before  one's  mind,  until  he  shall 
resolve  to  make  the  effort,  and,  in  making  it,  learn 
whether  he  ought  to  desist  or  proceed.  This  remark  is 
intended  for  such,  as  having  yet  before  them  a  large 
part  of  the  work  of  preparation,  are,  nevertheless,  de- 
manding a  weight  of  evidence  in  favour  of  a  call  to  pre- 
pare,  equal  to  that  which  might  be  expected,  if  they 
were  about  to  be  inducted  into  office. 

A  few  observations  on  two  things,  necessary  to  be  so- 
lemnly considered,  shall  close  this  Discourse.  The  first 
will  concern  the  resistance  of  a  call.  That  such  resistance 
may  be  offered,  few  will  doubt.  If  a  pious  man  may  en- 
ter the  Ministry  uncalled,  as  certainly  some  have  done 


OF  THE  GOSPEL  MINISTRY.  49 

confessedly,  no  reason  can  be  given  why  even  a  pious 
man  may  not  resist  when  called.  This  may  be  done  by 
matrimonial  entanglements,  which  date  their  existence 
either  before  or  after  the  receiving  of  the  call: 

Or  money-hunting,  the  spirit  of  accumulation,  the  sup- 
posed obligation,  or  the  wicked  purpose,  of  maintaining' 
or  augmenting-  hereditaments  and  patrimonies,  may  oc- 
casion the  sinful  resistance : 

Sinful  timidity,  creating  a  wish  to  lead  a  quiet  and  re- 
tired life,  and  indisposing  to  any  public  appearance,  may 
produce  the  same  result: 

Slothfulness,  which  loves  ease,  and  dislikes  activity, 
may  occasion  a  refusal  to  "bear  the  heat  and  burden" 
of  a  minister's  life  : 

Ambition  for  political,  scientific,  literary,  or  military 
fame,  may  keep  one  from  obeying  "the  heavenly  calHng:" 

A  wicked  pride,  which  is  unwilHng  to  be  in  the  Min- 
istry without  pre-eminence,  united  with  comparative  and 
"  conscious  poverty  of  soul,"  and  weakness  of  mind,  may 
hinder  men  from  doing-  their  duty : 

A  "  voluntary  humility,"  which  makes  its  subject  deny 
the  graces,  or  the  gifts  which  God  has  bestowed  upon 
him,  has,  probably,  led  many  astray : 

Or,  one  who  is  called,  may  satisfy  himself  for  not 
obeying,  by  pleading  the  want  of  good  health,  when  his 
health  is  confessedly  sufficient  for  other  employments 
equally  sedentary,  or  laborious,  or  active : 

Men,  who  advise  not  in  the  fear  of  God,  especially  re- 
latives, perhaps  parents,  often  persuade  to  sin,  in  resist- 
ing a  call : 


50  CALL  TO  THE  WORK 

Sometimes  men  err  through  an  unfounded  supposition 
that  their  services  are  necessary  for  the  maintenance  of 
one  or  more  dependants,  who  mig-ht  otherwise  be  pro- 
vided for,  if  proper  efforts  were  made: 

A  foolish,  and  sinful  unwillingness  to  receive  aid  from 
the  Church,  while  preparing  for  the  ministry,  some- 
times misleads: 

Concealment  of  personal  views  and  wishes  in  refer- 
ence to  the  Ministry  from  those  who  might  be  helpers, 
may  betray  into  sin : 

Or,  finally,  a  man  may  resist  a  call  through  inatten- 
tion to  the  providence  of  God.  If  every  cause  or  occa- 
sion of  resistance  has  not  been  named,  yet,  enough  has 
been  said,  to  enable  each  one  to  supply  the  deficiency,  if 
personal.  The  criminality,  of  course,  varies  according 
to  the  endless  diversity  of  cases;  but  every  resistance  is 
criminal  and  perilous.  If  you  would  know  how  God 
regards  the  matter,  read  that  awful  dialogue  between 
God  and  Moses  about  leading  Israel  to  Canaan.  God 
told  Moses  that  he  should  be  leader.  Moses  states,  and 
God  sets  aside  difficulty  after  difficulty.  Moses  still  con- 
tinuing to  object,  at  last  it  is  said,  "And  the  anger  of  the 
Lord  was  kindled  against  Moses."  Ex.  iv.  14.  If  God 
were  thus  displeased  with  Moses,  to  whom  "  he  spoke 
as  a  man  to  his  friend,"  can  He  be  otherwise  than  high- 
ly displeased  with  all,  who  excuse  themselves  from  the 
work  to  which  they  are  called  ?  "  Wo  unto  him  that 
striveth  with  his  Maker  !  "  Isa.  xlv.  9.  Remember  Jo- 
nah. Suppose  that  Jeremiah,  after  all  the  assurances 
of  strength,  and  courage,  and  support  which  he  received, 


OF  THE  GOSPEL  MINISTRY.  51 

had  persisted  in  ci-ying:  "Ah,  Lord  God !  I  cannot  speak, 
for  I  am  a  child,"  God  would  have  been  angry  with  him. 
Or,  suppose  the  four  men  mentioned  in  the  text  had  re- 
sisted their  call,  they  had,  certainly,  never  been  the  in- 
struments of  such  achievements  as  sacred  story  ascribes 
to  them,  nor  filled  the  thrones  in  glory  which  they  now 
occupy ;  nor  had  their  names  inscribed  where  John  saw 
them.  "And  the  wall  of  the  city  had  twelve  foundations, 
and  in  them  the  names  of  the  twelve  apostles  of  the 
Lamb."  Rev.  xxi.  14.  If  Christ  call  you  even  to  pre- 
pare for  the  Ministry,  do  you,  like  the  four  fishermen, 
"  straightway,  immediately  follow."  Blessed  is  he  who, 
being  called,  obeys,  humbly,  heartily,  joyfully  running 
at  God's  command  and  fulfilling  the  ministry,  which  he 
receives.  "  For  we  are  unto  God  a  sweet  savour  of 
Christ."  2  Cor.  ii.  15.  "And  they  that  be  wise  shall 
shine  as  the  brightness  of  the  firmament ;  and  they  that 
turn  many  to  righteousness,  as  the  stars  forever  and 
ever."  Dan.  xii.  3. 

The  concluding  thoughts  respect  entering  the  Minis- 
try, when  God  does  not  call.  A  man  may  do  this  in  obe- 
dience  to  dreams,  supposed  voices,  and  indefinable  im- 
pulses,  thought  to  be  indicative  of  God's  will : 

Or  the  various  kinds  of  false  zeal  may  first  destroy 
modesty  and  sobriety,  and  then  drive  their  subject  into 
the  Ministry: 

Some  may  run  uncalled  through  the  influence  of  an 
erroneous  opinion  that  every  pious  man  may,  if  he 
can,  and  can,  if  he  will,  become  "  a  preacher  of  right- 
eousness."    The  truth  is,  pious  men  are  so  much  needed 


52  CALL  TO  THE  WORK 

in  every  station  in  life,  that  the  bare  necessity  of  one  to 
fill  a  place  is  no  evidence  of  a  designation  of  the  person 
who  ought  to  fill  it.  Else,  every  pious  man  must  con- 
sider  himself  called  to  fill  every  variety  of  station  : 

A  man  may  enter  the  Ministry  uncalled,  through  a 
desire  to  lead  an  easy  life,  most  erroneously  thinking  a 
faithful  minister's  such,  or,  most  sadly  forgetting  that 
the  only  epitaph  suitable  to  an  unfaithful  minister  is,  "  It 
had  been  good  for  this  man,  if  he  had  never  been  born." 

Or  covetousness,  "that  vile  idolatry,"  may  induce  hira 
to  seek  the  Ministry.  It  is  not  true,  that  the  American 
churches  have  nothing  to  fear  from  the  operation  of  this 
principle  on  the  Ministry,  and  on  candidates  for  the 
Ministry : 

Again,  weak,  partial,  vain  friends,  especially  parents, 
may  give  foolish  advice,  and  cause  one  to  sin,  by  going 
unsent : 

A  man  also  may  be  determined  for  the  Ministry,  by  a 
conscious  incapacity  for  any  other  learned  profession, 
a,nd  by  a  low  opinion  of  the  dignity,  and  difficulty  of 
this,  and  thus  "  play  the  fool : " 

It  sometimes  occurs,  that  men  under  conviction,  and  in 
great  distress,  vow  that  if  God  will  forgive  their  sins,  and 
cheer  their  hearts,  they  will  become  preachers.  When 
they  hope  that  they  have  passed  from  death  unto  life, 
they  remember  their  engagement,  and  keep  it,  forget- 
ting that,  in  many  cases,  both  God  and  their  vow  "would 
be  more  honoured  by  the  breach  than  by  the  obser- 
vance." 


OF  THE  GOSPEL  MINISTRY.  53 

One  may  easily  be  moved  by  his  blind  irreverence  for 
the  sacredness  of  the  office: 

Or  an  unholy  ambition  to  possess  that  kind  of  popu- 
larity,  and  confidence,  which  faithful  ministers  generally 
have,  may  be  the  ruling  passion  in  seeking  the  Ministry: 

Lastly  :  A  man  may  enter  the  Ministry,  uncalled,  by 
taking  imperfect  views  of  the  subject  of  a  call,  or  by 
denying,  or  forgetting  the  whole  matter  of  a  scriptural 
call,  and  examining  the  question,  "  Ought  I  to  enter  the 
Ministry?"  on  general  grounds,  from  which  no  correct 
decision  can  be  made.  Thus  do  those  err  who  simply 
inquire,  "Can  I  be  more  useful  in  the  Ministry,  than 
elsewhere?"  a  question  which  no  man  on  earth  can 
answer,  unless  he  can  first  tell  whether  he  is  called  of 
God. 

Perhaps  the  foregoing  specifications  may  be  suffi- 
cient for  ordinary  purposes.  Illustrations  of  some  of  them 
have  perhaps  afflicted  most  of  the  present  race  of  pious 
men.  There  are  some  very  strange,  and  almost  unac- 
countable  phenomena  in  this  part  of  the  religious  world. 
Some  very  iveak  men  have  seemed  to  think  that  they 
were  raised  up  in  these  latter  days,  to  "turn  the  world 
upside  down."  Obtuseness  of  feeling  makes  them  defy 
ridicule;  and  want  of  becoming  moral  sentiment  enables 
them  to  live  without  pain  in  the  midst  of  moral  ruin. 
By  whatever  influence  one  is  unscripturally  brought  into 
the  Ministry,  guilt  rests  upon  him.  In  some  cases  the 
guilt  is  lesst  ban  in  others ;  but,  in  no  instance,  is  the 
criminality  small.  One,  who  is  in  danger  of  thus  trans- 
gressing,  ought  carefully  to  read,  and  solemnly  to  reflect 


54  CALL  TO  THE  WORK,  &C. 

upon  the  following  brief,  but  alarming  narrative  :  "And 
when  they  came  to  Nachon's  threshing-floor,  Uzzah  put 
forth  his  hand  to  the  ark  of  God,  and  took  hold  of  it;  for 
the  oxen  shook  it.  And  the  anger  of  the  LORD  was 
kindled  against  Uzzah ;  and  God  smote  him  there  for 
his  error ;  and  there  he  died  by  the  ark  of  God."  2  Sam. 
vi.  6,  7.  That  a  man,  by  entering  the  Ministry,  uncall- 
ed, may  render  himself  ridiculous,  or  odious,  is  not  so 
overwhelming  a  matter,  until  we  remember  that  the  ho- 
nour of  Christ,  the  dignity  of  the  Gospel  institute,  and  the 
salvation  of  souls  are  involved  in  his  office.  Under  the 
ministry  of  such  a  man,  the  lambs  and  the  sheep  are  not 
fed.  Believers  "  grow  not  up  as  calves  of  the  stall." 
Perhaps  the  spirit  of  daring  speculation,  or  wild  fanati- 
cism reigns  in  terror.  Or  the  "  spirit  of  slumber " 
works  ruin,  not  the  less  certain  or  total,  because  wrought 
in  the  undisturbed  stillness  of  spiritual  death.  If  piety 
be  lacking,  such  a  man  will  be  "  sowing  the  wind  to  reap 
the  whirlwind."  As  to  God,  he  will  be  an  "  empty  vine, 
and  bring  forth  fruit  only  unto  himself"  If  he  handle  the 
sword  of  the  Spirit  without  the  skill,  which  none  but  the 
truly  called  have,  he  will  wound  whom  God  has  not 
wounded,  and  defend  whom  God  has  not  defended ;  and 
thus  contract  the  guilt  of  a  murderer  of  souls.  And  "  a 
man,"  says  Brooks,  "  had  better  have  all  the  blood  of  all 
men  in  all  ages  of  the  world  to  answer  for,  than  the  blood 
of  one  single  soul."  "No  man  taketh  this  honour  to 
himself,  but  he  that  is  called  of  God  as  was  Aaron." 
Heb.  v.  4. 


